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A white pickup truck has been causing alarm among women traveling Montana’s highways, with multiple reports describing a disturbing pattern of stalking behavior.
On the evening of April 10, Lizette Lamb, 48, was driving from Roundup to Glasgow along Highway 191 when she stopped at The Ole’ Mercantile Conoco station in Grass Range around 7 p.m. While there, she noticed a white pickup truck without a front license plate parked nearby. After resuming her drive, she realized the same truck was following her closely.
“I noticed they were tailgating me, right on my bumper, and I just felt really uneasy,” Lizette told KTVQ. “At first, I thought maybe they were just trying to pass.”
Despite increasing her speed to 85 mph, the truck stayed dangerously close-so close she could no longer see its windshield, only the grille. Lizette feared for her safety as the driver attempted to force her off the road. Fortunately, she managed to avoid a collision.
She then saw two men inside the vehicle. When limited cell service prevented her from calling 911, Lizette displayed her gun to deter them. The truck made a U-turn and sped away.
“That moment really put a lot into perspective,” Lizette said afterward. Following the incident, her husband Travis reported it to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, who confirmed similar reports had come in previously.
Further investigation revealed that at least 36 women in the region had reported comparable experiences. Descriptions typically involve a white Ford pickup, sometimes bearing out-of-state plates, tailing women on isolated two-lane highways at night.
Earlier this year, Holly Pierce from Columbia Falls encountered a similar situation on Highway 87 near Roundup while heading to a funeral in Glasgow. The truck repeatedly braked in front of her and her companion before stopping in the road. Despite driving over 100 mph to evade the vehicle, Holly remains shaken.
“It scares me to think what could have happened if I had stopped to offer help,” she shared. “I think about the women who haven’t gotten away.”
Many others have shared nearly identical stories, though the identity of the men in the truck remains unknown. Joni Hartford of Lewistown, who also had a close call, remarked, “It’s the same exact situation. I can’t be certain it’s the same person, but it sure seems like it.”
Authorities continue to investigate these stalking incidents. Investigators hope that security footage from The Ole’ Mercantile gas station will aid in identifying the driver. Store owner Krista Manley, who holds a PhD in cognitive psychology, has reviewed the footage but found no sign of the truck.
“My default is to absolutely believe women, and Lizette was definitely rattled,” Manley said. “From my background in memory and cognition research, I understand how stress impacts memory, so I’m confident in the authenticity of her report.”
As this unsettling series of events unfolds, local law enforcement urges vigilance and encourages anyone with information to come forward.